Overview
- League reporting indicates Indiana has made Mathurin available and is exploring deals to bolster its front line before the trade deadline, with no agreement reported.
- Mathurin, 23, is in the final year of his rookie contract at $9.1 million and will be a restricted free agent next summer, with insiders noting reluctance to commit a nine-figure deal.
- Analysts point to cap considerations that include max deals for Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam and a franchise track record of avoiding the luxury tax since 2005–06.
- Potential center targets mentioned include Kristaps Porziņģis as a stretch option and Daniel Gafford as a traditional rim protector, while Walker Kessler is out for the season with a torn labrum.
- Indiana has started 6–21 as Haliburton rehabs an Achilles injury and after Myles Turner’s departure, even as Mathurin posts a career year at roughly 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists on efficient shooting.